Jason Hammel to make minor league rehab start Thursday at Double-A Bowie

Eduardo A. EncinaThe Baltimore Sun

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel is scheduled to make a minor league rehabilitation start Thursday for Double-A Bowie, which will be his first game action since a loss to the Boston Red Sox on July 28.

Hammel, who has been on the disabled list for nearly a month with a strain of the flexor mass in is right arm, will first throw another bullpen session Sunday. If all goes well then, he’ll throw 45 to 50 pitches for the Baysox on Thursday night at Prince George’s Stadium.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has said the club wants Hammel to make at least two minor league rehab appearances before returning.

When Hammel returns, which will be after major league rosters expand on Sept. 1, he could be used in either a starting or relief role.

“A lot depends on everything with Ham and how long it takes for him to get back,” Showalter said. “I’d love to get to the point where Ham can be either one for us, but that would take a while down in the minor leagues.”

The Orioles will likely add a few players when rosters expand on Sept. 1, while others could go to instructional league in case they are needed later in the month.

Showalter indicated that the other starting pitchers called up — Kevin Gausman, Zach Britton, Josh Stinson and Tsuyoshi Wada will be among those considered — will help the big league club as relievers.

Other notes from today’s pregame:

-- Miguel Gonzalez will be available in the bullpen until Tuesday. He isn’t slated to make his next start until Friday at Yankee Stadium, where he’s pitched well. If he’s not used out of the pen, he will throw side sessions today and Tuesday to get his work in.

-- The club will likely call up a few players initially on Sept. 1 when rosters expand while others could go down to instructional league in Sarasota, Fla. – provided Triple-A Norfolk doesn’t make the playoffs – so they could be called up later if needed.